JAY SPITS A VERSE ON STREAM WARS

When the owner of a major streaming service also happens to be one of the world’s most legendary rappers, it’s probably inevitable that we’d get a verse about the streaming wars—a new frontier for hip-hop beef. Sure enough, as Business Insider and other sources have noted, on Jay-Z’s “Smile,” a cut from his 4:44 set (currently available exclusively via his platform, Tidal), the rap luminary takes a shot at a key rival:

F--- a slice of the apple pie, want my own cake
Chargin' my own fate
Respect Jimmy Iovine
But he gotta respect the Elohim as a whole new regime
And n----- playin' for power, huh
So our music is ours

It’s noteworthy that even in the context of a dig at Apple, Mr. Carter gives Jimmy his props.

4:44 is slated to go wide in its second week; its debut on Tidal has been part of a Sprint promotion that undoubtedly hooked the mogul/MC up, as both artist and tech exec, with a passel of new customers. What happens in week two, when the album—which has earned strong word of mouth thus far—is available on Apple Music? Will it appear on all other major streameries? Stay tuned.